8.15 - Fossil fuels and non-renewable resources
Petrol, kerosene and diesel oil come from crude oil; methane is the main component of natural gas. Learn these sources and explain why the fossil resources supplying them are non-renewable.
Fuels and their sources
| Fuel | Fossil source | Familiar use |
|---|---|---|
| petrol | crude oil | cars |
| kerosene | crude oil | aircraft fuel |
| diesel oil | crude oil | diesel engines |
| methane | natural gas | heating and cooking |
Petrol, kerosene and diesel oil are mixtures of hydrocarbons obtained from crude oil. Methane, CH₄, is a single compound and the main component of natural gas, which is itself a mixture.
Fossil fuel
A fuel formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years.
Crude oil and natural gas formed from ancient biological material buried under sediments and changed over long periods. 'Fossil' describes this origin; visible fossils are not required.
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